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Crime

‘Somebody knows what happened’

MESKWAKI SETTLEMENT — It has now been over a decade since Rita Papakee was last seen alive on the Meskwaki Settlement on Jan. 16, 2015. Her case has drawn attention both locally and across the country, and law enforcement agencies continue to pursue leads in hopes of finding her and providing ...

Stop the scams

It can happen to anyone. A phone call, a text, an email, and before you know it, you've fallen for a scam. It happens everywhere, including Tama County, where residents have lost thousands of dollars to such malicious ruses. For the Toledo Police Department, scams come in waves, with on ...

Tama man arrested for allegedly threatening family, stealing AR-15

A Tama man was arrested last Monday afternoon over allegations that he stole his stepfather’s AR-15 style rifle and had made threats to kill his family. According to a criminal complaint, 18-year-old Logan Levi Kurth was charged with first degree burglary (a Class B felony), second degree ...

Danker’s murder trial reset for a third time to late summer 2025

TOLEDO – Former Traer resident Huston William Danker’s first degree murder trial which had been scheduled to begin last week in Johnson County – after being reset twice since the original date of Nov. 4, 2024 – has been reset for a third time to later this summer. On Dec. 26, 2024, ...

Former Elberon librarian convicted of soliciting vandalism, criminal mischief

TOLEDO — The weeklong trial of former Elberon Public Library Director Bailey Anne Jenkins concluded last Friday as a Tama County jury found her guilty of solicitation to commit a felony and second degree criminal mischief after a group of children ransacked and vandalized the facility on May ...

Habitual offender arrested, charged with area American Legion burglaries

TOLEDO — A Marshalltown man with an extensive rap sheet has been arrested and charged by the Tama County Sheriff’s Office in connection with the late December burglaries of the Garwin and Gladbrook American Legions as well as a Jan. 2 robbery at the Tama-Toledo Eagles Club. Convicted ...

Howe lawsuits update: Horrigan, Wolf complaints will proceed to trial

Earlier this month, summary judgments were issued on the lawsuits filed against the City of Toledo and former Police Officer Kyle Howe. Three cases were ruled on, two of which will go to trial. The lawsuit brought against the City of Toledo and Howe by Shyla Wolf will proceed to trial. This ...

Danker to use alibi defense in first degree murder trial

TOLEDO – In his first degree murder trial set to begin in late January, Huston William Danker plans to use an alibi defense. In court documents filed on Oct. 15, Danker — through his defense attorney Leon F. Spies — gave notice he plans to rely on an alibi defense during his nine-day ...